Receptacle for inflammable fluids



' E. L. NUTE ET AL 2,325,703 REQERTAQCLE FOR INFLA'MMABLE FLUID S Filed D. 24; 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1943- E. L. NUTE ET AL 2,325,703

RECEPTACLE FOR INFLAMMABLE FLUIDS I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 24, 1941 [haw/Zions Patented Aug. 3, 1943 Edwin L. was, Wakefield, mi Edward Arwilley, Malden, Mass, assignors to Converse Rubber Company, Malden, Mass,

Massachusetts a. corporation of Application'December 24, 1941, Serial No. 424,376

, ms. (Cl. 22o-s9y This invention relates to receptacle for volatile and inflammable fluids or'semi-liquid materials and relates more particularly to arece'ptacle and to a support or holder therefor having associated therewith means operative 'to smother and extinguish the flames if the contents of the receptacle should be ignited.

In certain industries, for instance in the manufacture of rubber footwear, it is substantially necessary to keep small quantities of highly inflammable substances, for example naphtha in' open vessels, usually metal pans, for current use during the manufacturing process. Obviously such open receptacles of fluid constitute a very serious fire hazard, for although any individual receptacle may be of relatively small capacity, the accidental ignition of its contents may be sufficient to start a fire of very serious proportions.

While the workers are'usually instructedto empty such receptacles at the close of the day and to keep them covered when not in active use, such instructions are not always obeyed and even if they are, this would not be suflicient completely to avoid the danger of fire occurring during thenormal performance of the manu factur ing operation.

r The principal object of the present invention is to provide a receptacle and holder (designed for such uses as above described) having provision for automatically extinguishing the blaze r if the contents of the receptacle should be ignited. A further object is to provide a cover so designed and arranged as to close and thus out 01f free access of air from the interior of the receptacle in the event of fire. A further-object is to provide a receptacle-cover so mounted as to permit it to move toward and from closed position freely and with the assurance that it will accurately register with the-receptacle when closed so as substant-ially to cut oil access of airto the receptacle.

A further object is to provide a simple and inexpensive device which occupies but little more room than the receptacle alone; which permits the receptacle to be closed and opened manually; which is dependable for its intended use, even if subjected to neglect or careless use; and which, after responding to a blaze, may quickly be restored to operative condition. Q

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter in the following more detailed description and by cover and the means for holdingthe cover innormal open position, the cover being shown in the latter position;

Fig-2 is aview similar to Fig. 1 but showing the receptacle-in place;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig, 2 but showing the cover closed;'

Fig. 4 is'a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 but looking toward the back or outer side of the open cover; I I

Fig.- 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, to larger'scala' showing details of the hinge constructionjand' Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail to large scale also showing details of the hinge and of the means for holding the cover open.

Referring to the drawings the invention comprises a base or support I, here shown as of sub stantially U-shape in plane comprising a pair of more or less parallel arms 2 and 3 united by the curved or rear connectingportion 4. As illustrated, the arms 2 and 3 and the connecting portion 4 are integrally united and are made of angle stock so "as to'provide a horizontal flange and the upright flange 2 Preferably the forward I ends of the arms flare outwardly so as to provide a broad base for the support. The closed end of the support constitutes a holder for a receptacle such as the'pin R. Obviously if the support be designed for use witha pan or a receptacle of a different type, it may be shaped accordingly, but always with the purpose of furnishing a stable support or holder so that the pan or receptacle may not easily be overturned. While this support ishere shown as made of angle stock, for example steel; it is contemplatedthat it may be made in other ways, forexample as a casting, and that it maybema'debf other materials than metal if preferred. ff a i Attached ito tlie outer surface of the upright flange 2?- at the rear or curved portion 4 of the support a rigid rod 5 fonexample of steel or the like, which is bent to a right angle at l and then extends upwardly to form the substantially vertical mast 8,.-.-The upper end of this mast may, if desired,',be tapered and bent to form the forwardly projecting hookportion 9. Alternatively the hook imayflbesmade by securing a separate part tozthe otherwise straight mast.

"Ata point somewhat above the angle I, prefer--- er diameter thanthe has; a and. which is welded at its upper and lower ends I I and I2, respectively, to the material of the mast. This loop is disposed so that it lies in the vertical plane of symmetry of the support I.

The cover I3 is preferably of metal and of a diameter such that when closed it completely covers the" t'Opf Of-I the 'receptacle B so as substantially 'to exclude air-from the latter. In order to insure as tight a fit as possible, commensurate with simplicity and cheapness of construction, it is preferred to make the. cover downwardly concave or at least to make its marginal portion concave so that it will contactthe extreme edges of the pan or receptacle and renew center itself upon the latter. 5 1

This cover is shown as a single piece of sheet metal and is provided nearione' margin with thehinge pin member 14 which, as here shown, is an integral part of the material of the cover. This pin, l4- isIlocatedbetweenv an, opening l5 through the cover and the inner endof aradial recess l6 leading inwardlyirom the edge otthe cover. This hinge pin [Lislooselyembraeed by the loop ill-and with thelatter provides a hinge about which the cover may be-swung up and 3 downbut without any; possibility of binding and with-sun' cientireedom SQ fihQbhG hinge elements are not likely to be fouled by the material withinthe pan Preferably, in orderto assure the proper registry, of the cover-with the pan as 5;:

the cover moves to closed position, the cover is provided with rearwardly; directed integral lugs I1 and i8.at opposite sides respectively,of the recess [5 and receiyethemast'fl between them as. the-cover swings .downwardly.= By-en- :1

casem nt, of ,theirlinner edges .with the mast, these earsfland f3 constrain the coverto move downaccurately'so as to; register properly with the pan-andv hereby,- insure tight closure of the latter. I

. When the cover; is,in. the fully open position it is not, exactly vertical butinclines forwardly a little so: that-it tends, when released, to fall in response to lth'e action ot-gravity and thus to cover the mag, Inforder: to insure such positioning of, the ,cover ,when open the mast is provided with a forwardly: directed stop pin 19 and the., cover is preferably furnishedwith a contact member, 20 forengagement with this pin. If desired; this-contact member may beadjustable,j forl example it may constitute .thehead of a bolt, so that normal position of. the cover may be accurately determined,

At a point sor newhat aboye the horizontal diameter of the cover when the lattei'is' in upright position, there: is arranged anQ eyeQZI projecting.

from the" inner "surface of the'c'ove'r and with its plane substantiallyhorizontal. Two: pins or posts Hand '23 project, from the inner surfa'ce. of the coverfthe se pins being parallel ancl fwith their axes in ahoriaontahplane which isbelow the horizontal diameter of the cover. These pins are iocatedat'sirbstalnti'ally equal' distances at oppositesides "of- 'the vertical diameter ofthe coverand areof such lengththat their ends project 1,

outwardly and over thei'topiof thepan R.

For holding :the :cover in. normal upright open position there is.-provideda: strand of organic material which is of anature such-that it easily deteriorates and'loses strength when, subjected, to a; substantial degree'pi; heat.- awhile strands;

of textile fiber or the like maybeemployemit is preferred .to use a rubber elastic strand, since ,in

usethis .may b e placed under, substantial ,tension and thus, when its strength is locally reduced, it

tends, by reason of its own elasticity to contract and break even before the weight of the cover would accomplish this result, if it were not thus elastic. As here shown this strand comprises two loops 24 and 25 joined, for example, by a knot at the point 26. The loop 24 extends upwardly through the eye 2| andits upper end may be slipped over the hook 9 of the mast from which it may easily be released manually when desired. The other loop 25 is distended about the pins 22 and 23 and forms a tensioned, substantially horizontal run 21 between said pins and which overlies the pan B. When in use, loop 24 engages the hook!) and the entire strand structure is under a certain degree of tension. During the normal operation of the device the cover remains in'this position, held upright and open by the retaining strand. If the operator desires to close the cover it is merely necessary to release the loop 24 fronrthe hook and allow the cover to drop. On the other hand, if while the pan is open,.thecontents of the pan should take fire, the rising flames immediately contact the transverse strand member. 21 and cause it almost instantly to-soften and break, thus permitting the cover to fall under the action of gravity and completely to closevthe pan and to cut 0E the supply of air andthus smother the blaze. After such an 0ccurrence all that is necessary, in order to restore thevapparatus to a condition of use, is to apply another cover-retaining strand which may be done almost instantly and by the user of the device and without the necessity of special tools or, intact, of any implement other than the fingers. The device thus provided is extremely simple andinexpensive but ,on the other hand it is effective for the desired purposes and may be depended upon to operate even though no especial care is. taken to keep it clean or in proper condition. While one desirable embodiment of theinvention has been here illustrated by way of example, it is to be understood that the invention is notnecessarily limited to the precise arrangemerits herein described but is to be regarded as broadly inclusive of all equivalents and modifications which fall within the terms of the appended claims.

We .claim:- 1

1. In combination with a receptacle for inflammable fluid, a base constituting a support for the receptacle, a mast rising from the base, a cover for the receptacle, hinge mean for the cover permitting the latter to move from a receptacleclosing position to anupright open position, and a thin strand of rubber elastic, easily deteriorated by .heat, havingone end attach d to the upper partof. the, mast, the cover having a pair of transversely spaced posts projecting outwardly to a substantial distancef re-n1 its inner surface, the

opposite endportion-of the strand having a loop ii' en. the strand-is holding the v receptacle.

combination with a receptacle for inflammable fiuid a, base constituting a support for the receptacle, a m ast risingirom the base, a cover for there ceptacla,hinge means for the cover permitting the latterl tomove from a receptacleclosing' position to an upright open position, a

thin strand of elastic rubber which normally holds the cover in upright open position, one end of the strand being attached to the upper part of the mast, a pan cover having a pair of spaced parallel posts projecting from its inner surface, the posts being disposed substantially symmetrically with respect to the vertical diameter of the cover, the strand having a loop in its free end portion which is spread to embrace both posts whereby a portion of said loop is held taut directly across the path of flame rising from the receptacle.

3. In a device of the class described, a substantially U-shaped base having spaced flaring arms designed to receive between them a receptacle for inflammable fluid, a mast rising substantially vertically from the closed end of the base, a receptacle cover provided with a hinge pin, the mast having a rigid hinge loop which loosely embraces said hinge pin, guide elements carried by the cover and disposed at opposite sides respectively cf the mast thereby to insure registry of the cover with the receptacle when the cover moves to closed position, and a strand of material, easily disrupted by heat, normally extending between the mast and the cover and constructed and arranged normally to hold the cover in upright open position.

4. In a device of the class described, a substan tially U-shaped base having spaced flaring arms designed to receive between them a receptacle for inflammable fluid, a mast rising substantially vertically from the closed end of the base, a receptacle cover provided with an integral portion near one margin constituting a hinge pin, a rigid loop member fixed to the mast and loosely embracing the hinge pin thereby permitting the cover to swing up and down about the axis of said hinge pin, the cover having integral outwardly directed spaced ears disposed respectively at opposite sides of the mast and operative to insure registry of the cover with the receptacle as the cover swings down to closed position, and a thin strand of elastic material, easily disrupted by heat, normally extending between the mast and cover and constructed and arranged to hold the cover in upright open position, said strand normally being under tension.

5. In a device of the class described, a base shaped to provide a firm support for a receptacle for inflammable material, a rigid mast secured to the base and provided at its upper end with a. hook, the mast also having a hinge loop projecting therefrom at a point spaced above the support, the plane of said loop being vertical, a cover having a hinge Din embraced by said loop, the cover also having a downwardly concave inner surface, a pair of spaced parallel posts projecting from the inner surface of the cover at opposite sides respectively of its vertical diameter and at that side of its horizontal diameter nearest the hinge pin, the cover also having an eye member projecting from its inner side near the upper end of its vertical diameter, and a thin strand of organic material which normally holds the cover in upright open position, said strand being ar ranged to form two loops, one of said loops extending through said eye member and engaging the mast hook and the other of said loops being spread to embrace the two posts whereby a portion of said latter loop is held taut and directly in the path of fiame rising from the receptacle.

EDW. L. NUTE. EDWARD A. WJLLEY. 

